Academy teams prepare to go Dutch

A group of 34 players from the under-13 and under-14 hockey teams, along with four staff, will be travelling to Valkenburg, in southern Holland, at the beginning of April for a five-day tour.

The Netherlands gives a real taste of European sporting life and hockey is their national sport.

The trip will include coaching sessions with top Dutch coaches, matches against local clubs and a tournament involving schools from all over the UK.

The group have embarked on several fund-raiaisng events throughout the year and the last is a go karting night at Raceview Karting.

Details are available on the school website www.ballymenaacademy.org.co.uk